Motorist strikes 10-year-old boy on bike near Deerfield School

A 10-year-old boy was taken to Lawrence Memorial Hospital by ambulance Wednesday morning after he was struck by a vehicle while riding his bike, police said.

Sgt. Trent McKinley, a Lawrence police spokesman, said officers determined a 27-year-old woman driving a vehicle at 7:37 a.m. had stopped at a stop sign at the intersection of Ranger Drive and Rockfence Place, which is southwest of Princeton Boulevard and Lawrence Avenue and near Deerfield School.

“The driver, however, did not see the 10-year-old bicyclist approaching on the cross street as she entered the intersection,” McKinley said. “The car struck the bicyclist, causing him to fall.”

The boy, Matthew Bradenburger, was wearing a helmet, McKinley said. Matthew was treated and later released from the hospital, said Belinda Rehmer, an LMH spokeswoman.

McKinley said officers cited the driver of the car, Desiree Neyens, for a stop sign violation because she failed to yield to the boy before proceeding from the stop.

Julie Boyle, a Lawrence school district spokeswoman, said the boy is a fourth-grade student at Deerfield.

I am in a position to observe traffic at South Middle School. Themanner that parents and others drive through the student drop off area along the west side of the school is deplorable. People in a hurry wil pull away from the curb at full throttle, dodge through the traffic and school busses parked and moving around the lot. It is amazing to me that these people are so much in a hurry that they would risk hitting a child who would dart out into the roadway by speeding though this busy area that is populated by many school students in the morning and afternoon arrival and departure hours.

I agree. He's STILL a student there. Matthew and family, glad you are ok. I know Matthew from karate class a long time ago.

Traffic often gets crazy everywhere. I am at several schools throughout the week and worry constantly. Just today, I had a school bus turn in front of me, a truck swerve into my lane to avoid a cyclist, and saw a car drive through an occupied crosswalk - AT schools. Please, slow down people.